What I did today...or the last three weeks...

copying a tag line from the longrooffan.......

What I did today...or the last three weeks......
by now everyone that follows this page has learned of the exploits of the bondoguy.....Jimmy is a good friend, one that you want around when camping for damn sure....he is one hell of a good painter....and now has been recognized by NASCAR for his exceptional skill at asphalt repair.....hats off to the man in turn two......
a addition and a deletion to the list of vehicles that have been under my domain over the years.....
a little set up here is due.....when the weather went north around here back in early January and the temperature dropped into the mid 30's (an actual HEAT WAVE for some of my brothers and friends) and the kid was driving an open topped, doorless vehicle, my bride explained to me that I would be driving the kid's jeep and he would be driving my new (to me) truck since he picked up his sister every day from school......now being a good Father and a caring friend to those two kids, I had to agree to relinquish my truck for the health of the kids...
of course this came at a very high price.....one week later I contracted a chest cold that is still nagging at me....another by product of driving a topless-doorless vehicle in near freezing temperature is the necessity to stay warm....multiple layers of clothing, a scarf, hat, double socks, and stay all scrunched up to conserve energy....(we called this 'max heat)...was a sneezing spell I went into one Sunday night a couple of fortnights ago that resulted in a serious back injury from which I still haven't recoverd completely.....yea I know, getting old beats the alternative.....but damn this back is a real pain in the back.......
but back to the future......I had aquired through various means the title to a 1979 CJ-5 Jeep with a small lift kit and some serious mud tires.....do not inquire....just let that go.....I had consigned this vehicle after a few modifications (yes there is blogproof of this and it did get it's fifteen minutes of fame) to the longroof to post on craigslist for sale......of course the proceeds were to finance shop supplies and other items more commonly known as 'hurricane supplies'.....when this was turned into a UTV by means of a trade I was back at square one with an image of a very warm looking truck everytime I drove into my driveway.....but alas after the trade was made I was contacted by a guy from the western part of the state about my old "huntin jeep" .....when he asked about the jeep I had for sale, I had to think for a minute before I replied, "Which one?"....seems he was willing to look at a 1967 CJ-5 instead of a 1979....up shot was he and his 'that'll hunt' girl drove over one afternoon to look at the kid's jeep......he was impressed enough to anty up the money it would take to have the bondoguy fix the rust and repaint it Army Green.....of course the longrooffan and even the goodattorney advised me of all the wrong that could be happening for taking the cash up front to have the jeep fixed up before I took payment on the jeep itself.....but I had met the buyer and what I call "looked in his eye".....
the week after the 500 mile race here in Daytona, the jeep was ready and the buyer showed up with a friend and a trailer.....as the buyer and his friend looked for the head, I took a peek at his ride......when he returned and handed me a wad of cash, I didn't even count it.....the handy 8 pack of cold beverages provided by my favorite brewer was all it took to confirm the sale.....
but now what do I do....I'm a two car owner in a three car family.....looks like I am back to craigslist in search of a Toyota 4x4 for the kid...gotta have something that can handle the beach driving during the summer.....in the mean time Jim comes through by surrendering the keys to his 69 Bronco....so here I am, back to driving a specialty vehicle in the middle of the worst cold spell that can be remembered in these parts.....never could figure out how to turn the heater on in that beast....at least it is wind proof....but then a friend calls and tells me of Ford Ranger for sale by the tow company we use at work....a quick phone call to the tow company and happy hour is cut short for me.....a quick trip back over to the mainland and I am looking at my next vehicle....
now the kid was not too happy when I first informed him of his next ride, and my bride was not too happy that I made a commitment without her consent....
an extended conversation with BigJimDunn and she never said another word...
how I like that man....so now the kid is driving his new ride.....of course a couple of modifications were required....and most importantly I am back in my new truck.....
the longrooffan was commissioned to photograph the kid's new ride, however it hasn't been seen in daylight since I brought it home and his digital retainment equiptment is not real good in low light......I just plain forgot to take photos so expect photos by the end of the week........

these, and other reasons too many to list are why we......

CELERBATE LIFE............

What a way to spend a day

seems that the horsefarmer and family are curled up trying to stay warm....the bus is looking for a warm place to watch the race....the longrooffan is tied up with a close intimate friend....BBB is lounging poolside enjoying a beverage from the islands trying to keep his hands off his better half...
so while all of this is going on, the kid and I decide to venture out to the track to watch the race in person.....bundle up and head south....couple of stops along the way and we are soon in the infield looking for a parking spot.....waved to all of you, hope you were able to see me....I was the guy in blue standing on the track at the start/finish line.....look close when the cars go by and you can see where I signed my name on the wall at the line.....hooked up with a buddy and went walking to see the sites....heard/saw Tim McGraw.....missed his hot wife....
saw a whole lot of money tied up in race cars.....got Micheal Waltrip to sign a ball cap for me.....almost got run over by several pit carts.....the kid FINALLY asked if I had fulfilled my obligation to attend the race.....DAMN STRAIGHT... what tooK so long for him to ask I have yet to figure out....so we headed back to the short hairpin for the Rolex race where we had parked and proceeded to head home.....
read the horsefarmer's blog and saw photos he posted of his back yard...best part of those photos are they are his back yard, and not mine.....
the kid's sister and the sun goddess are out shopping and the kid and I are now in the comfort of our own home watching the "Great American Race".....
unlike the longrooffan I seldom carry a camera around for photos but today I did.....unfortunately it is the longroof's and photos will have to wait until he down loads them.....
but know that this morning, the kid and I, along with about 250000 other people.........

CELEBRATED LIFE........

No, it's not done yet.....

as the longrooffan is always asking me......is it done yet????.....well, not yet but it is getting close..
placed a call to the longroof today to see what he was doing......
as he was available for any adventure I headed over to show off the new old jeep.....
I really was looking for it's maiden voyage on the beach, and the company of my brother to share the experience with me.....
got the needed windshield sticker that allows unlimited access to the sandy shore thanks to some guy in Flagler that is having his kitchen remodeled, so thank you whoever you are.....
then we made a quick left hand turn into forbidden sand unless four-wheel drive equipped....
three miles later we made a quick u-turn and headed back towards our favorite beach access pass.......
about half way back the little mule overheated.......those ever present beach patrol officers came to the rescue with a water jug and after a quick stop at the closest external shower to refresh the little girl we were mobile once more......
dropped the longroof off at the Taj Mahal and bee-lined it home trying to stay ahead of the afternoon rain showers I could see forming......didn't need to hurry as the rain clouds passed without leaving us any happiness......
got home and decided to see if the top would fit on the old jeep.....as anyone who is familiar with the type of fabric used in the soft tops available, they know the tops are pretty much useless after sitting around for 10-15 years......as was the case here, so off came the side windows and the rear window......it helped that the windows were all cracked and broken......what I ended up with is a primative safari top.......seems to work pretty well too......well, you can be your own judge as for the effectiveness...
































CELEBRATE LIFE.................

whats going on up there......

so I spent the day doing 'honey-dos' while the kids are off on missions of their own doing....
the kid's sister is out riding four-wheelers with friends and the kid is surfing at the beach....
or at least that is his story......got a call from one of my many friends that drive black and tan cars, the ones with the lights and sirens, and he called to let me know that the kid was 'cruising chicks' on the beach.....
truly his Father's son.....makes my eyes water and my heart beat a little faster.....
when questioned, the kid's response was, "the water was flat but the babes weren't"........
gotta love the kid......would make Uncle Bob proud.....
but as I am viewing the world from my lap, I notice this headline and the thoughts began....
does this explain the freezer full of beef.....or lack of leadership by the bus.......
where is the Lone Ranger when you need him.....
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29979871/...

doesn't really matter much to me because the kid and I are off to fish the big bridge....
if we are lucky the longroof will join us.....but none the less....we will...

CELEBRATE LIFE...!!!!!!!!!!